The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society criteria for the polycystic ovary syndrome: the complete task force report.
OBJECTIVE
To review all available data and recommend a definition for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) based on published peer-reviewed data, whether already in use or not, to guide clinical diagnosis and future research.


METHODS
Literature review and expert consensus.


METHODS
Professional society.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
A systematic review of the published peer-reviewed medical literature, by querying MEDLINE databases, to identify studies evaluating the epidemiology or phenotypic aspects of PCOS.


RESULTS
The Task Force drafted the initial report, following a consensus process via electronic communication, which was then reviewed and critiqued by the Androgen Excess and PCOS (AE-PCOS) Society AE-PCOS Board of Directors. No section was finalized until all members were satisfied with the contents, and minority opinions noted. Statements were not included that were not supported by peer-reviewed evidence.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the available data, it is the view of the AE-PCOS Society Task Force that PCOS should be defined by the presence of hyperandrogenism (clinical and/or biochemical), ovarian dysfunction (oligo-anovulation and/or polycystic ovaries), and the exclusion of related disorders. However, a minority considered the possibility that there may be forms of PCOS without overt evidence of hyperandrogenism, but recognized that more data are required before validating this supposition. Finally, the Task Force recognized and fully expects that the definition of this syndrome will evolve over time to incorporate new research findings.
Azziz
Ricardo
R
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Carmina
Enrico
E
Dewailly
Didier
D
Diamanti-Kandarakis
Evanthia
E
Escobar-Morreale
Héctor F
HF
Futterweit
Walter
W
Janssen
Onno E
OE
Legro
Richard S
RS
Norman
Robert J
RJ
Taylor
Ann E
AE
Witchel
Selma F
SF
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010050:Ovarian Function Tests; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010060:Ovulation; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D009626:Terminology as Topic
D015415:Biomarkers